TENNIS
Wimbledon success a big step for youngster
TOR CHITTINAND
Noppawan is hoping to break into the world's top 200 next year. |
Teenage sensation Noppawan Lertcheewakarn owes a lot to negative friends who tried to put her off pursuing her dreams when she was a youngster.
When the 16-year-old star was growing up in Chiang Mai, her friends often told her not to go to Bangkok because she would never beat anyone and that it would be a waste of time and money.
But now, Noppawan has proved them wrong by winning several tournaments in Asia before shining on a big stage by reaching the girls final at Wimbledon.
"Their criticism encouraged me and I don't want to lose," she said.
"I hope that this is just the beginning."
Noppawan took up tennis when she was four and was introduced to the sport by her parents.
Her father Pramuan said at the beginning he did not think that Noppawan would become a successful player as he only wanted her to play a sport.
"When she first took a racket, it seemed that she loved the sport," he said.
"She is a fast learner and has never got bored with playing or practising."
A hard-working girl with potential to become a star, Noppawan was spotted by German coach Merek Malaszszak, an expatriate on Doi Mae Salong in Chiang Mai who is also a coach for the Rico Foundation.
He saw Noppawan's potential when she was 10 and took her in as his student at the foundation, which became her first major sponsor.
By that time, Pramuan was beginning to think his daughter could become an international star under the guidance of Malaszszak. So he decided that the Mathayom 2 student should drop out of school and pursue a tennis career.
The coach took her to Bangkok to play in more competitive tournaments two years ago when she was 14.
"I think I made the right decision for her to quit school," Pramuan said after Noppawan lost 2-1 to Britain's Laura Robson in the girls final at the All England Club.
"I hope this is just the beginning and she will not stop at this point. I hope she will keep moving up in tennis."
Noppawan has made fast progress since moving to Bangkok. In less than one year, she became a top-100 junior player in the world and is now number five.
She won a number of junior tournaments at home and abroad and also clinched a bronze at the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Ranked 447th in the world, she aims to enter the top 200 by next year and hopes to be in the top 20 in four years.
Next year she will play more on the professional circuit and plans to play at the junior level in Grand Slam events only. She also wants to give herself a try in the Australian Open qualifying round.
Not surprisingly, her local idol is veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn, who also had a tournament to remember at this year's Wimbledon where she reached the quarter-finals.
"I want to become a successful player like Tamarine," Noppawan said.
"I will work harder to follow in her footsteps."
The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT) has been struggling to find an heir to Tamarine who has been Thailand's number one female player for years.
Several players have been seen as a new Tamarine but none have come close to emulating her achievements.
The country may have found a new Tamarine in Noppawan. Hopefully, for the girl who is nicknamed 'Nok' (Bird), she can keep flying high.
Her story may also give hope to youngsters who are starting out on the long road to the top themselves.
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